Disclaimer: Wait... you actually... you ACTUALLY think I own Firefly??? *rolls around laughing hysterically before wheezing and continuing* Okay, that was a good joke. I needed that. On with the story.

*****

“I'm leaving.” Her words hung in the air, the reverberations pounding in time with his heartbeat. A single, perfect tear trailed down her cheek. Mal could feel the shock traveling up his bloodstream to take over his face, leaving him wide-eyed and open-mouthed. He'd never... somehow, he'd just never thought she'd actually... well, go.

She was staring at him, her eyes huge and glossed with nameless emotion. Why'd it have to be so gorram nameless? Why'd he have to be utterly talentless at reading other people's eyes?

Inara watched her words hit Mal, and had to resist the urge to bite her lip. She stared at him reproachfully, begging him silently to ask her to stay. 'Ask me to stay. Don't let me walk away from you. Damn you, Mal, ask me to stay!'

“I, uh...” He swallowed. Gathered himself. She could see him reeling himself in, closing himself off like he always did. “Oh.” He looked away, clearing his throat. “When?” He was looking out over the cargo bay now, his voice desolate. It wasn't much, but it was something. A question. Something to keep her here for another moment. She cleared her throat as well, unable to catch his gaze. Sighing, she turned and leaned her elbows against the railing.

“I don't know. As soon as possible, I suppose.”

“Where are you going to go?” Was that a thread of hope in his tone? She glanced at him warily, but he still wouldn't look at her.

“I could go back to Sihnon. I would be welcomed at the House there.”

“Oh.” Disappointed, Mal made a noise with his tongue and coughed. This was awkward. He hated being awkward, but he always was with Inara.

“I could, uh, I could go to Persephone, too,” she offered. “You often have jobs there, right?” He looked at her quickly. Did that mean what he wanted it to mean? Her expression gave nothing away.

“Yeah. I mean, sometimes,